Bag closing machine



Nov. 14, 1944. D. BELCHER ET AL 2,362,462

BAG CLOS ING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 Sheets-Sheet 1 l2 BAG HOLDERX'FILLING s A 13 COMPACTING MATERIAL 34 27 STATION TAPE APPLYING 3 6E WING STATION D 5 F LATTENING BAG TOPS STATIC N ZNVENTOk-S DAN/EL BEL CHEE FIG/INK E. L INDA l F7612 53w! PM 14M ATTOENQY;

Nov. 14, 1944.

D.BELCHER ETAL BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8,.1940

COMPACT! N6 MATER AL 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 586 HOLDER 8: FILLING FIG. 4

STATION C j N VEN TORJ' DAN/EL BEL CHER FRANK R. LINDA Q 0:44, P144 WM ATToR/VE Ya Nov. 14, 1944. D. BELCHER ET AL 2,362,462

BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 f N VEN TOPS DAN/EL BELCHER H6. 5 FRANK E. LINDA 9 PM, WWW

ATTGENEYJ Nov. 14, 1944. D. BELCHER ETAL BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 STATION fvvs/vroles DAN/EL BELCHEE FRANK E. L/NDA PM, W 4 4 ATTOENE 3 4 Nov. 14; 1944 D. BIELCHQER ETAL BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 944 D. BELCHER ET AL 2,362,462

' BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 .ZVl/ENTOES DAN/EL BELCHEE BAG I E/INK E. LINDA ATTOENE Y5- Nov. 14, 1944. D. BELCHER ET AL BAG CLOSING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 8, 19402 FIG. 17

m E WQ M I J, mmw w m EL v z e" EK i H A TTOENE YJ Nov. 14, 1944.

D. BELCHER ET AL BAG CLOSING MACHINE Filed April 8, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 J 5 w w M m w r E N a N E o e w w mm N w M Z /N W! h I 3 1 m 2 w a L K 0M 9 x 2/ m w N 8 N A 1K 4% M w M wm /qs 1 5 E Patented Nov 14,1944

UNITED STATES PATENT oFncE Daniel Belcher, Minneapolis, Min, and Frank R. Linda, St. Louis, Mo., asslgnors to Bemis Bro. Bag Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Application April 8, 1940, Serial No. 328,518

9Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in machines for closing and sealing the open tops of flexible containers or bags, and more particularly to a machine adapted to apply and secure a strip of tape over the edges of the bag top walls, after said walls have been pressed into flatwise relation.

It is now common practice to package numerous kinds of comminuted materials such as sugar, in paper bags or containers. When sugar is packaged in such containers, it is of utmost importance that the closed tops of the containers or bags be tightly sealed to prevent sifting of the sugar from the closed bag tops. The tops of small bags, such as pound bags, may readily be closed with perfect safety by folding the bag tops intoclosing and sealing relation and then bonding them together with a suitable adhesive. In larger bags, such as 10 and 25 poundbags, the bag walls are usually made from slightly heavier stock to withstand handling, and it may therefore be difllcult at times, to securely unite or bond together the folded bag top walls of such bags by the use of an adhesive, without danger of the bag tops opening, when the closed bags are roughly handled. In the larger bags, it has been found more desirable to close the top bags by pressing the bag top walls into flatwise relation with the end walls intucked between the side walls, or not, as desired, and then applying a strip of tape over the upper edges of the bag top walls and suitably securing it thereto, preferably by stitching. Bags thus closed may readily be handled in transit without danger of the bag tops opening or becoming leaky to permit the contents from sifting from the bags.

The novel machine herein disclosed comprises a plurality of stations arranged along a main conveyer and at which stations, the various operations of filling the bags, settling the contents therein, and closing and sealing the bag tops, are successively performed, as the bags advanoe through the machine.

The invention has for an object the provision of a simple and efllcient bag holder adapted to hold the bags in position to receive a charge, by simply gripping the upper portion of the bag, and whereby the empty bag is suspended from the bag holder, while receiving its charge.

A further object of the invention residesin the provision of a machine of the class described comprising a trough-shaped main conveyer adapted for continuous operation to convey the bags through the machine in spaced relation, the V-shape of the conveyer conforming substantially to the shape of the bottoms of the filled bags, and serving to prevent the bags from relatively rotating on the conveyer, as they advance through the machine.

A further object is to provide a machine of the class described comprising a main conveyer having side belts arranged adjacent thereto, the inner runs of which are adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, and said inner runs tapering inwardly from the receiving end of the conveyer and having upper portions thereof inclined inwardly, whereby the bag tops are gradually flattened, as the bags advance through the machine.

A furtherobject resides in the means provided for pressing the partially flattened bag top walls into flatwise relation before applying and securing a strip of tape over the upper edges thereof.

A further object resides in the means provided for controlling the delivery of the filled bags to the sewing head, whereby the application of the strip of tape to the bag top and the sewing of said strip to the bag top may be accurately timed.

Other objects of the invention reside in the unique construction of the means for pressing the walls of the open bag top into fiatwise relation prior to applying a strip of tape over the uper .edges thereof and stitching it thereto to seal the bag top; in the means for controlling the operation of the sewing head in timed relation to the movement of the bags through the machine; inthe means for severing the tape between consecutive bags, after the tape has been sewed to the bag tops, and in the means for controlling the operation of the tape severing mechanisms; in the novel construction of the means for supporting the bags while receiving a charge and whereby each bag, while being filled, is suspended from the bag holder independently of the main conveyer; in the means forsuccessively releasing the filled bags from the bag holder and delivering them to the main conveyer in spaced relation; and, in the general construction and arrangement of the various parts of the machine, whereby the machine is substantially automatic and continuous in operation.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the an nexed claims. v

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may the tops of the filled bags and securing a strip of tape to each has top;

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 1, with the bag holding means omitted;

Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, showing the means for driving the V-shaped conveyer;

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 8-6 of Figure 7, showing the shaker mechanism;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line I-| of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the conveyer, showing the means for controlling the delivery of the bags to the sewing head;

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the parts, after having been actuated to release a bag;

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view showing the means for operating the gates for controlling the delivery of the bags to the sewing head;

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view on the line llll of Figure 6, showing a bag positioned on the V-conveyer and the means for compressing the bag bodies as the bags advance to the tape applying and sewing mechanisms;

Figure 12 is an enlargeddetail sectional view substantially on the line l2-l2 of Figure 16, showing the general shape of the bag holding collar or member of the bag holder, and the means for guiding the bag mouth walls onto the collar;

Figure 13 is a plan view on the line 13-13 of Figure 1, showing the means for moving the filled bags from a position beneath the filling spout onto the main conveyer;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the driving means for the bag holding and releasing mechanism, showing a bag supported on the bag holder;

Figure 15 is a similar view showing the parts in bag releasing positions;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary end elevation of the bag holder and the bag releasing mechanism;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the position of the bags as they travel beneath the tape applying and sewing mechanisms;

Figure 18 is a side view of Figure 17;

Figure 19 is a detail sectional view on the line I 9l9 of Figure 18, showing the bag top positioned between the guide rods and the V-belts just prior to receiving the tape;

Figure 20 is a detail sectional view on the line 2li20 of Figure 18, showing the bag top after the tape has been applied thereto;

Figure 21 is a fragmentary view showing the resilient elements for firmly pressing the fiattened bag top walls together and guiding them into the tape applying means;

Figure 22 is a plan view showing the guide rods and V-belts for directing the flattened bag top to the tape applying and sewing mechanisms;

23-43 of Figure 18, showing the means provided in the tape folder for accurately controlling the folding of the tape;

Figure 24 is a fragmentary detail view showing in full and dotted lines the two positions of the control means for the tape cutter; and

Figure 25 is a similar view showing the clutch control of the tape cutter control element in position to render the clutch inoperative.

Machine in general Briefly, the novel machine herein disclosed comprises a main frame including side rails 2 and 3 supported on suitable cross members I and channels 5. A plurality of stations, A, B, C, and D, are arranged-lengthwise of the machine. At station A, the bags receive a predetermined charge of material and are then delivered onto the main conveyer, generally designated by the numeral. The bags then advance to station B, where they are subjected to a vibratory motion to settle the contents thereof. The bags then pass onto station C, where the walls of the partially flattened bag tops are pressed firmly into fiatwise relation, after which the bags pass through station D, where a strip of tape is folded over the upper edges of the bag top walls and suitably stitched thereto. The tape is then sev-' ered, which completes the operation of closing and sealing the bag tops.

Bag holder-Station A An important feature of the invention resides in the novel construction of the bag holder provided at station- A, and best shown in Figures 1 and 12 to 16, inclusive. The bag holder is shown comprising a pair of spaced supporting rods 1 and 8, each having one end secured to castings 9 and I l, respectively, suitably secured to upright posts 42 having their lower ends suitably secured to the side members 2 and 3 of the main frame, as shown in Figure 1.

The means for receiving and supporting the empty bag in position to receive a charge is shown comprising a hollow member or collar I3, having its upper end portion fitted into and secured to an annular frame I4 having oppositely disposed tubular guides l5 adapted to receive the supporting rods 1 and 8, as best shown in Figure 13. The collar or member l3 extends below the annular frame ll in the form of a skirt, and over this depending skirt portion, the bag mouths are adapted to be fitted, as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

In the operation of closing the bag top walls, as herein disclosed, the end walls of the bag body are preferably intucked between the side walls of the bag top and the skirt I3 is therefore preferably shaped, as best shown in Figure 2. In this figure, it will be noted that the end walls thereof are substantially V-shaped in cross-section, or extend inwardly to facilitate folding the end walls of the bag top inwardly between the side walls thereof, as will readily be understood.

Suitable bag top gripping elements in the form of small levers i6, are pivotally mounted between spaced lugs ll provided at each end of the supporting frame H of the collar or skirt l3.

These grippers are pivoted on pins "supported to move inwardly and engage the end walls of the bag, as the bag is released from the skirt 18 by actuation of the grippers l8. Suitable springs 22 are shown connected between fined lugs 28 and the outwardly extending portions 24 of the grippers 18, and constantly urge the grippers into bag engaging position, as shown in Figure 14. In Figure 15, the grippers are shown in their inoperative positions, as when releasing a bag from the bag holder. A suitable open guide 28 is preferably secured to the lower edge of the skirt I 8 to guide the open end or mouth of the bag over the skirt, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 14 and 15.

The upper portions of the grippers 18 are preferably shaped as shown in Figure 12, wherein it will be noted that the gripping surfaces 19 thereof are substantially V-shaped to correspond more or less to the V-shape of the end walls of the skirt l3. In Figure 12, the walls of the bag top are shown fitted over the skirt I 3 and the end walls thereof gripped by the grippers It.

Means is provided for actuating the grippers 15 to positively release the bag therefrom, after the.

bag has received a predetermined charge or load from the filling apparatus, generally indicated by the numeral 26. The specific construction of the filling apparatus forms no part of the present invention, and it is therefore merely indicated in Figures 1 and 14. The means provided for actuating the grippers to cause them to release the bag, is shown comprising a yoke, generally indicated by the numeral 21 and having spaced arms 28, each carrying an adjusting screw 29 adapted to engage one of the grippers I 8, as shown in Figures 14 and 15. The yoke is pivoted on the supporting rod 8, as best shown in Figure 13, and when oscillated thereon, the adjusting screws 29 thereof will engage the outward extensions 24 of the grippers, and depress them from the position shown in Figure 14 to that shown in Figure 15, whereby the grippers Will release the bag, as shown in Figure 15. When the grippers l6 are actuated to release the bag, they are moved downwardly by the yoke 21, to substantially the position shown in Figure 15, whereby they will engage and retain the end walls of the bag top in their intucked positions between the side walls of the bag top, substantially until the bag is delivered onto the main conveyer 6.

The means provided for oscillating the yoke I1 is shown comprising a stationary cam bar 8|, having a cam face 32 adapted to be engaged by a roller 33 carried by the yoke 21, as shown in Figure 13. The cam bar 3| is shown supported on a part of the casting 1 I in which the supporting rod 8 is mounted. A crank shaft 34 is shown mounted in a bearing 35 provided in the. casting l I, and has a crank arm 36 to which one end of a connecting rod 31 is connected. The opposite end of the connecting rod 31 is pivotally connected to the frame 14 which supports the skirt as shown in Figure 13.

The crank shaft 34 may be driven from a suitable gear reducer 38 by a chain drive 39, as best shown in Figure 13. The speed reducer 38 is driven from a drive shaft 41 which, in turn,

of anopen bag top are fitted over the skirt l8 and the grippers l8 are moved into operative pomtions therewith, as shown in Figure 14, the bag top is firmly secured to the skirt l8. whereby it cannot accidentally become detached therefrom. It will be noted by reference to Figure 1, that the bag is supported entirely by the grippers during the filling operation of the bag, the lower portion or bottom of thebagbeing spaced from the main conveyer belt 8, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. The crank shaft 84 operates in timed relation to the other mechanisms of the machine and horizontally moves the bag holder on the supporting rods I and 8, from the loading position, shown in Figures 1 and 13, to the dotted line position shown in Figure 13, in which position the yoke 21 is actuated to release the grippers I8. The bag then drops by gravity onto the v-sha conveyer belt 8, as hereinbefore stated.

Main conveyer belt The main conveyer belt 8, as best shown in Figures 3 and 4, comprises two endless flat belts 44, supported at the receiving end of the machine by suitable pulleys or rollers 48, mounted for relative adjustment on the main frame of the machine by suitable adjusting screws 48, and whereby the belts may be kept taut. Similar pulleys or rollers 41 and 48 are provided at the opposite end of the machine for supporting the belts 44. The adjacent runs of the belts 44 are disposed substantially in right angular relation, as shown in Figures 5, 7, and 11, whereby they cooperate to provide a trough-like conveyer which substantially corresponds to the shape of the bag bottoms, as shown in Figure '7. The belts 44 which constitute the main conveyer belt 8 are shown driven from a speed reducer 49 through a shaft 8|. bevel gears 82, and a shaft 83, upon which the roller or pulley 41 is secured. Bevel gears 84 provide a drive connection between the pulleys 41 and 48, as shown in Figure 5, whereby the two belts 44 are simultaneously driven at the same speed, when the machine is in operation. The speed reducer 49 is driven from the main drive shaft 4|, as shown in Figure 4.

The inner or adjacent runs of the belts 44 are supported on a plurality of closely spaced rollers 88, rotatively supported in suitable rails 58 and 81, as shown in Figure 11. The outer runs of the belts 44 are supported on spaced rollers 88, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Compacting mechanismStation B The means for compacting the material in the bags is best shown in Figures 6 and 7, and comprises a trough-shaped member 59 secured to the upper ends of a pair of supporting members 81 having tubular portions 82 received in guides 88 secured to the machine frame. The tubular portions 82 have their lower ends connected to a pair of pitmans 84 which are engaged with suitable eccentrics 88 provided on a shaft 88, shown supported in suitable bearings provided in the housings 81 of the guides 83. The shaft 88 is shown provided with a suitable fly-wheel 88, and a clutch 89 provides means whereby it may be operatively connected to a drive shaft 1| which, in turn, is driven from an independent motor 12, indicated in Figure 1. Suitable means, not shown, is provided for manipulating. the clutch 1|. When the shaft 88 is rotated, the supporting member 8| of the trough-shaped member 88 is rapidly moved in an up-and-down direction, thereby imparting a similar motion to the runs of the belts 44, supported on the member 50. The vibratory motion thus imparted to the belt runs at station B will impart a vibratory motion to the bags as they pass over station B, thereby firmly compacting or settling the contents in the bags.

Bag body shaping means The bag body shaping means operates in conjunction with the main conveyer i and comprises a pair of oppositely disposed side belts 10, having inner runs 13 adapted to engage the opposite sides of the bag bodies, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3, '7, and 11. Each belt is supported on two groups of rollers, generally designated by the numerals 14 and 15. The rollers 14 are supported on upright pivots or shafts Ili supported in spaced frame members 11 and 18, best shown in Figure l. The rollers 14 at the receiving end of the machine, are shown ad- ,iustably supported in the frame members 11 and 18 by suitable adjusting means, generally indicated by the numerals 19 and 8|, whereby the belts 1| may readily and conveniently be maintained at the proper tension.

The rollers are disposed at an angle whereby their upper portions incline inwardly, as best shown in Figures 1 and 11. These rollers are supported on spaced frame members 82 and 83, suitably secured to brackets M adjustably mounted on the upper portions of upright brackets 85, as shown in Figures 1 and '1. The brackets 84 are secured to the upper ends; of the brackets 85 by suitable adjusting screws 88, whereby the inner runs 13 of the belts 10 may be adjusted towards or away from each other to accommodate various sizes of bags.

By referring to Figure 3, it will be noted that the upper portions of the groups of rollers 14 are spaced relatively wider apart than the upper portions of the rollers 18, this resulting because of the inclined positions of the rollers 15. For convenience, the lower ends of the rollers 15 may be substantially alined with the lower ends of the rollers 14. Because of the upper ends of the rollers 18 being inclined inwardly, as shown in Figure 7, it will benoted that the belt runs 13 engage the bag bodies with gradually increasing pressure as the bags are advanced by the conveyer O. The bag top is thus gradually flattened as the bags advance through the machine, so that when the bags approach the end rollers of the group of rollers 15, the bag top walls will be pressed into relatively flatwise relation as substantially shown in Figure 3. Because of the belts 1| passing around the groups of rollers 14 and 15, a partial twist is imparted to the inner runs 13 of the belts between the receiving and discharge ends of the belts 10, whereby the upper portions of the bag bodies are subjected to gradually increasing pressure to thereby shape the bag bodies, as will be clearly understood by reference to Figure 'l.

Bag: top compressing and guiding means Station C Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided for further compressing the bag top walls into flatwise relation and directing the compressed walls to the tape applying and sewing mechanisms, subsequently to be described.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 22, the bag top compressing and guiding means comprises a pair of spaced parallel rods 1 having their receiving ends it outwardly flared, as shown in Figures 3 and 22. The rods II are so spaced apart as to readily receive the flattened bag top as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 4. A pair of disks 89 are secured to the shafts 89' of the end rollers of the groups of rollers 15, and are adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag tops and direct them into the space or throat provided between the rods 81.

A pair of V-belts 9| are shown supported on pulleys 92, 83, 94, and 95, and have their inner runs 96 shown disposed directly below the rods 81, as clearly illustrated in Figure 19. The inner runs 86 Of the V-belts 91 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the rods 81. The travel of the inner runs 96 of the belts Si is substantially equal to the traveling speed of the main conveyer 6, whereby the V-belts 96 may cooperate with the main belt to feed the bags through the tape applying and sewing mechanisms.

The V-belts SI and side belts 1|! are driven from a cross shaft 91 by upright shafts 98, geared to the cross shaft 91 by suitable mitre gears 99, as shown in Figure 11. The upright shafts 98 adjustably support the pulleys 92, whereby they may be vertically adjusted with respect to the bag tops. The cross shaft 91 is driven from the drive shaft ll by a suitable speed reducer i B I. The side belts 10, it will be noted by reference to Figures 3 and 4, are shown driven by short chains I02 mounted on sprockets secured to the shafts 98 and the shafts 89' of the end rollers 15 of the side belts 10. Because of the rollers 15 of the side belts 10 being disposed at an incline, as shown in Figures '1 and 11, the short drive chains I 02 may have a slight twist therein which, however, is not suflicient to intefere with the proper operation of the chains. If desired, the shafts 89' of side'belts 10 may be driven directly from the drive shaft 4i The rods 81 are disposed slightly above the V- belts 96 and are supported by suitable brackets IM and I05 secured to a pair of upper frame members I06, shown in Figures 2 and 4. The frame members I06 are shown adjustably supported on upright rods or posts I01, secured to the side frame members 2 and 3, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Tape applying and sewing mechanisms- Station D The means for applying a strip of tape I08 to the upper edge of each flattened bag top and securing it thereto, is best shown in Figures 2, 4, and 17 to 21, inclusive, and comprises a roll of tape I09, shown supported directly upon the sewing head, generally designated by the numeral H0, by a suitable support Ill having its lower end suitably secured to the sewing head, as indicated in'Figure 2. A tension device H2 prevents overrunning of the tape roll I09 on the support Ill. The sewing head H0 is of conventional design and construction and forms no part of the present invention. It is therefore thought unnecessary to herein describe the same in detail.

The sewing head is shown suitably supported on the outer end of a bracket 50 mounted for vertical adjustment upon upright posts Bil having their lower ends suitably secured to the machine frame. The bracket 50, it will be noted by reference to Figure 5, overhangs the conveyer 6 whereby the sewing head will be positioned directly over the path 01 travel of the bags. The bracket 50 carrying the sewing head I I0 may be vertically adjusted upon the posts 60 by rotation of an upright shaft having its upper end portion "assassin A tape folder or guide, generally indicated by the numeral H3 is hown suitably secured to the sewing head and is positioned over the'path of travel of the bags, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, I

whereby the flattened bag tops pass therethrough, as clearly shown in Figure 18. The strip of tape is drawn from the supply roll I69 and passes around a flanged idler roller IIl, suitably supported at the receiving end of the tape folder H3. The roller IIl guides the strip of tape into the folder II3,' whereb the latter folds the tape over theto" edge of the bag top passing through the fo'der. The usual puller rolls H5 of the sewing head then engage the tape and press it flrmly into engagement with the bag top walls and, at the same time, the needle H6 of the sewing head and the usual presser foot I I1, partially shown in Figure 1'1, cooperate to. stitch or sew the tape to the bag top, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 17 and 18. The puller rolls I I5, as is well known, operate in timed relation to the needle I I6 and the usual feed dog of the sewing head, not shown. j

Another feature of the invention resides in the novel construction of the tape folderl I3, whereby the strip of tape is accurately folded upon itself, into U-shaped cross-section, with the assurance thatboth legs or sides of the folded strip of tape will be of uniform length. To thus accurately fold the tape upon itself, the lower edges of the sidewalls of the tape folder or guide I I3 are provided with inwardly turned ledges II 8, as best shown in Figure 23. The opposite edges of the folded strip of. tape engage these ledges, as the tape travels through the folder, whereby the legs or side walls of the folded strip of tape will be of uniform size.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means provided for accurately guiding thecompressed bag top into the folded strip of tape passing through the tape folder H3. The means provided for thus guiding the bag top into the partially folded strip of tape, comprises a pair of resilient elements H9 which may be suitably secured to the brackets I05 supporting the tail ends of the rods 81. The receiving ends of the resilient elements I I9 are outwardly flared as shown at I22 in Figure 21,.and the elements H9 are spaced apart at their receiving ends whereby the flattened bag tops mayreadily enter therein from the guide rods 81. The opposite free-ends of the mounted on an upright shaft Ill. The upperportion of the shaft I26 is rotatably supported in a bearing I2Iprovided in the bracket 53. The pulley I25 is splined to the shaft I 23, whereby it may be vertically adjusted on the shaft I26; together with the bracket II, when vertically adjusting the provided in the gear box I32. The shaft I33 is elements H9 are normally positioned as shown in v Figure 21, when no bag top is passing therebetween. Thus, when a bag top passes between the elements H9, the resilient free ends thereof will exert a pressure against the walls of the bag top, whereby the compressed bag top may readily enter into the folded strip of tape passing through the tape folder H3, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. The receiving or outwardly flared ends I22 of the resilient guide elements H9 are mounted in fixed relation with respect to the guide rods 31. but the opposite ends thereof are free to flex to permit the bag top to pass therebetween.

The sewing head I I6 is shown provided with a pulley I23 driven by a belt I2l from a pulley I25 y when cutting the tape.

sewing head with respect to the'bag tops.

The lower end of the shaft I23 is shown supportedin a bearing I23 and is provided with a clutch. generally indicated by the numeral I29. The clutch I29 serves to operatively connect the shaft I26 to a short upright shaft I3I, supported in a suitable gear box I32 which may be u ported on the machine frame in any suitablemanner. The shaft I3I is operatively connected to a horizontal shaft I33 by suitable gears, not shown,

shown driven from a gear reducer I3l which in turn, is driven from the drive shaft II, as shown in Figure 4. The operation of the clutch I29 is controlled by the traveling movement of the bags through the machine.

As shown in Figure 8, a control element or finger I35 is secured to an upright shaft I36 and is normally positioned across the path of the bags by a suitable spring I 31, having one end anchored as shown at I38. The opposite end of the spring is connected to one end of an arm I39, the opposite end of which is secured to the upright shaft I36. The shaft I36 is mounted in suitable bearings, not shown. The control element or finger I35 is operatively connected to a dog MI by a suitable connection I'l2, whereby the dog I may be moved into or out of operative engagement with the clutch I29 by swinging movement of the control element or'flnger I35, as will be understood by referenceto Figure 8.

When the dog Ill is in the position shown .in Figure 8, the clutch, I29 is rendere'l inoperative to drive the shaft I26, whereby the operation of the sewing head is interrupted. When a bag engages the control element I35 and swings it to the dotted line position shown in Figure 8 and full line position shown in Figure 9, the dog I is moved out of engagement with the clutch, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 8, whereupon the clutch is made operative to drive the shaft I26. The sewing head is then operated to stitch the tape to the bag top, as shown in Figures 1'! and 18. It will thus be noted that the operation of the sewing head is controlled entirely by the traveling movement of the bags through the machine.

Tape cutter The means for cutting or severing the tape be.- tween' bags, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, comprises a cutting element or knife 3 shown mounted on a suitable supporting collar Ill by screws 5. The cutting element is angularly disposed to the axis of the collar Ill, as shown in Figure 18, whereby a shearing effect is obtained,

The collar Ill is supported on an upright shaft Il6mounted in a suitable hearing I" provided on a housing "8, as shown in Figure 5. The housing I I may be secured to the supporting bracket 56 by suitable means, not shown in the drawings. The housing H9 is therefore movable vertically with the bracket 56, when the sewing head is vertically adjusted with respect to the bag tops. The cutting edge of the cutting element or knife "3 is adapted to substantially engage the periphery of a roller I49, rotatably supported on a stud I5I depending from a portion 01' the housing I88. as shown in Figure 5.

The shaft o f'the tape cutter I83 is driven from "one end of a horizontal shaft II! by a suitable worm gear I53, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5. The shaft I52, in turn, is driven from a short upright shaft I55 by bevel gears I55. A suitable clutch, generally designated by the nu meral I55, is adapted to operatively connect the shaft I54 to the upper end of a shaft I55, the lower end of which has a pair of bevel gears I51 operatively connecting it to a speed reducer I58 which, in turn, is driven from the main drive shaft 8|, shown in Figure 4. The upright shaft I55 is adapted for continuous operation with the drive shaft 4 I', but the operation of the horizontal shaft I5! is controlled by the clutch I55. The operation of the clutch is controlled by the movement of the bags through the machine.

As best shown in Figures 24 and 25, the clutch I55 is provided with a shoulder I55 adapted to be engaged by one end of a clutch operating arm or member I6I, pivotally mounted on a stud I52 and having a spring I 53 normally tending to hold it out of engagement with the clutch I55, as.

shown in full lines in Figure 24. A control ilnger or element I54 is secured to the hub I85 of the operating member l5l, whereby it is adapted for oscillation simultaneously with the member ISI. The control element I55 is normally positioned as shown in full lines in Figure 24, wherein it will be noted that it is positioned in the path of the bag tops. whereby it will be engaged by each bag top. as shown in Figure 25, as the bags advance through the machine.

when the control element I54 is moved from the full to the dotted line position shown in Figure-24, the clutch operating arm I5I is moved to the full line position shown in Figure 25, whereby the shou der I58 of the clutch I55 will engage the end of the member IN and render the clutch in operative to drive the tape cutter. The moment the control element I54 disengages the bag top and returns to the full line position shown in Figure 24. the control member IGI releases the clutch I55, whereuponthe clutch is rendered operative to rotate the tape cutter one revolution, whereby it will sever the tape between adjacent bags, as clearly illustrated in Figure 17. 'I'hetape cutter is so timed with relation to the travel of the bags and the operation of the sewing head, that it will engage and sever the tape between adjacent bags, as shown in Figure 17, without interrupting the movement of the bags through the machine.

Means for controlling delivery of bags to sewing head Means is provided for controlling the delivery of the bags to the sewing head, whereby they will be delivered thereto in accuratelyspaced relation, as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10. As here shown, a pair of oppositely disposed arms I55 are secured to the upper ends of shafts I51 mounted in suitable brackets I58 secured to the side frame members 2 and 3 of the machine frame. The arms I 55 are provided at their outer ends with upright plates I55 which may be termed gates. These gates are adapted to be swung inwardly into the path of the bags to be engaged thereby, as shown in full lines in Figure 8.

A ratchet member IN is securedto the lower end of each shaft I51. These ratchets are proing the gates I58, whereby the pressure of a bag 7 gaged by a pair of spring actuated dogs I18, having a spring I18 normally urging them into engagement with'their respective ratchet members "I. The ratchet members "I are shown provided with suitable hubs I15 for securing them to the shafts I51. Each hub I15 may be provided with shock I15 to which the ends of a suitable tension spring I11 are connected. The spring I11 thus constantly exerts a force on the gates I69 to normally retain them in the position shown in Figure 8. When the gates are thus positioned. they are prevented from outward movement by the ratchets I1! and dogs I13, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 8, whereby each bag engaging the gates may temporarily come to rest on the conveyor 5, until the gates are released.

Means is provided for intermittently releasthereagainst, caused by the action of the conveyor 5, may swing the gates outwardly to the position shown in Figure 9, whereby the bag interrupted thereby, may pass on to the sewing head in accurately spaced relation to the preceding bag, as illustrated in Fig. 9. The means provided for thus intermittently releasing the gates I58 is shown comprising a bell crank, generally designated by the numeral I18. This bell crank is 'shown having an upright arm I18 adapted to engage inwardly extending portions I8! of the dogs I 13, as shown in Figures 8 and 9. The long arm I82 oi the bell crank I18 is adapted to be actuated by a cam I83 secured to a cross shaft I84" driven from the drive shaft I by a suitable speed reducer I85, indicated in Figure 8.

It will thus be noted that for each revolution of the cam I83, the bell crank I18 will be operated to release thedogs I13 from the ratchet members "I, as shown in Figure 9. whereby the pressure of the bag against the gates I58 will cause the gates to swing outwardly and permit the bag to pass on. The action oi the spring I18 on the dogs I13 will cause the inwardly extending portions or fingers Ill of the dogs to constantly exert a pressure against the upper end 01' the arm I18 of the bell crank I18, whereby the lower end of the arm I 82 of the bell crank may be constantly held in contact with the periphery of the cam- I83.

Operation In the operation of the machine as herein disclosed, an operator slips an empty bag over the skirt I3 of the has holder, each time the skirt reaches its forward'position, shown in full lines in Figure 13. When the bag holder, including the skirt I3, is in the position shown in full lines in Figure 13, the grippers I5 are positioned as shown in Figure 14. The end walls of the bag may then be readily passed upwardly between the ripping surfaces is or the grippers vided with spaced teeth I12 adapted to be enofthe conveyer will engage the side walls ofv the bag top and gradually press them inwardly, as shown in Figure 3, with the end walls of the bag top intucked therebetween. The filled bag is released from the bag holder when the roller 33 of the yoke 21 engages the cam 32, whereby the yoke will swing the grippers from the position shown in Figure 14 to that shown in Figure 15, thereby causing the gripping surfaces I9 thereof to release the bag, as will be readily understood by reference to Figure 15.

The filled bag then advances towards station B, where it is subjected to a vibratory or shaking action to settle the contents thereof. Simultaneously, as the bags advance through station B, the bag top walls are gradually being compressed into flatwise relation, and at the same time, the upper portions of the bag bodies are shaped, as shown in Figures 7 and 11.

From station B, the bags advance to station C, where the partially flattened bag tops engage the disks 89 which further compress the walls thereof and guide the bag tops between the guide rods 81, whereby the bag tops are further fiattened by the combined actions of the rods 81 and V-belts 91. During the passage of the bags through station Cto station D. the V-belts 9| cooperate with the main conveyer 6 to feed the bags toward station D, whereby the bag bodies are maintained in true upright position, as they are successively delivered to station D.

As each bag approaches station D, it engages the gates I69, whereby its movement is temporarily interrupted, until the gates are swung outwardly as a result of the cam I83. shown in Figures 9 and 10. The bag top then passes through the resilient guide plates II9 which further compress the bag top Walls so that the compressed bag top may readily enter the partially folded strip of tape passing through the tape folder II3, as shown in Figure 18. The strip of tape is constantly being drawn from the supply roll I09, as a result of the tape being continually stitched to the traveling bag tops, as shown in Figures 17 and 18.

During the sewing of the strip of tape to the bag top, the puller rolls H5 of the sewing head. which operate in timed relation to the travel of the main conveyer 6, feed the bag top through the sewing head in timed relation to the operation of the sewing needle H6 and the action of the usual feed dog of the sewing head, not shown.

The function of the gates I69 is to accurately space the bag apart as shown in Figure 18, when they approach the sewing head, whereby a strip of tape may be uniformly applied to the top of each bag.

The operation of the sewing head is controlled by operation of the control finger I35 by each bag as it passes through station D. The control finger I35 is preferably so arranged with respect to the travel of the bags through station D that as long as the bags are delivered thereto in accurately spaced relation, as shown inFigures l7 and 18, the operation of the sewing head may be continuous. When, however, the delivery of bags to station D is interrupted, as when the operator at station A ceases to deliver bags thereto, the control finger I35 will return to the full line position shown in Figure 8, whereby the clutch I29 is rendered inoperativeto drive the sewing head.

The final operation in completing the closing and sealing of the bag top resides in severing the strip of tape, as shown in Figures 17 and 18. The tape cutter, as shown in these two figures, is controlled entirely by the traveling movemcnt of the bags through the machine in a manner similar to the sewing head. To thus control the tape cutter, the finger I 64 is positioned in the path of the bags, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, which controls the operational the clutch I55, which drives the rotary knife I43 of the tape cutter. The control finger I64 of the clutch I55 is so arranged that it engages the upper flattened bag top. whereby its oscillatory movement is relatively small, compared to the movement of the control finger I35 of the sewing head, as shown by the full and dotted lines in Figure 24. Because of the control finger I64 engaging only the flattened tops of the bags, each time it disengages a bag top, as shown in full lines in Figure 24, it moves the clutch arm I5I out of engagement with the shoulder I59 of the clutch I55, whereby the clutch I55 is rendered operative to drive the tape cutter. As soon as a bag top engages the finger I54 and swings it outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 24, and the position shown in Figure 25, the clutch control arm I6I swings into the path of the shoulder I59 of the clutch, whereby the clutch is subsequently actuated to interrupt operation of the tape cutter.

By thus controlling the operation of the tape cutter, the severing of the tape between adjacent bags is accurately accomplished so that all closed bag tops will be substantially 'uniform in appearance.

From the foregoing, it will be noted that the operation of compressing the bag top walls into flatwise relation and applying and securing a strip of tape to the upper edge of each bag top, as shown in Figure 20, is substantially automatic and requires little care upon the part of the attendant, except to load the bag holder with an empty bag each time it moves forwardly to bag receiving position, as shown in full lines in Figure 13.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown the various mechanisms of the machine as being driven from the main drive shaft H by independent speed reducers. It is obvious that various changes may be made in the driving means of the various mechanisms of the machine without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a machine of the class described, a troughshaped conveyer for conveying filled bags, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies and having upper portions thereof inclined inwardly towards each other transversely to the direction of travel of the belts, said belts also being arranged to engage the bag bodies with increasing pressure in the direction of travel, thereby to shape the bag bodies.

2. In a machine of the class described, a troughshaped conveyer for conveying filled bags, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, said inner runs gradually tapering inwardly from the receiving end of the conveyer in the direction of travel and also having upper portions inclined inwardly towards each other transversely to the direction of travel of the belts, whereby filled bags conveyed through the machine by said conveyer will be subjected to gradually increasing pressure, and means for simultaneously driving the conveyer and side belts at the same speed to advance the bags through the machine in upright position.

3. In a machine of the class described, a main conveyer for advancing fllled flexible containers through the machine, said conveyor being substantially trough-shaped in cross-section to prevent the filled containers from relatively rotating thereon, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the container bodies, said inner runs being relatively closer together at the discharge end of theconveyer than at the receiving end of the conveyerand having upper portions thereof inclined inwardly toward each other transversely to the direction of travel of the belts, whereby the upper portions of the container bodies will be subjected to gradually increasing pressure by the inner runs 01' said side belts, thereby to partially flatten and shape the upper portions of container bodies.

4. In a machine of the class described, a conveyer for the bags comprising a pair of longitudinally extending endless belts having their adjacent runs angularly disposed and cooperating to provide a conveyer of trough-shape cross-section, means at one end of the machine for delivering filled bags to said conveyer, and a pair of endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, said side belt runs being vertically disposed at the receiving end of the conveyer and gradually inclining inwardly towards each other transversely t the direction of travel of the side belts, thereby to increase the pressure on the upper portions of the bag bodies to shape the latter and facilitate closing the bag tops.

5. In a machine of the class described, a conveyer for the bags comprising a pair of longitudinally extending flat belts having their'adjacent runs angularly disposed and cooperating to provide a conveyer of trough-shape cross-section, means at one end of the conveyer for deliverlng filled bags thereto, a pair of endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, said side belt runs being vertically disposed at the receiving end of the conveyer and having other portions thereof inclined inwardly towards each other transversely to the direction of travel of the belts, and said side belt runs also tapering inwardly in the direction of bag travel, whereby the upper portions of the bag bodies are gradually flattened, as the bags advance through the machine.

6. In a machine of the class described, a conveyer for the bags comprising a pair of longitudinally extending flat belts having their adjacent runs angularly disposed and cooperating to provide a conveyer of trough-shape cross-section, means at one end of the conveyer for delivering filled bags thereto, a pair of endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies to shape them, the inner runs 0! said side belts gradually inclining inwardly toward each other transversely to the direction oi travel of the side belts from the receiving end of the conveyer, thereby to press the upper portions of opposed walls of the bag top into closer relation.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a V- shaped conveyer for conveying filled bags, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, said inner runs gradually tapering inwardly from the receiving end of the conveyer in the direction of travel and also having upper portions inclined inwardly towards each other transversely to the direction of travel of the belts, whereby filled bags conveyed through the machine by said conveyer will be subjected to gradually increasing pressure, means for simultaneously driving the conveyer and side belts at the same speed to advance the bags through the machine in upright position, and means along the conveyer for equally spacing the bags on the conveyer. v

8. In a machine of the class described, a troughshaped conveyer for conveying filled bags, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies and having said inner runs gradually tapering inwardly toward the discharge end of the conveyer, the upper portions of said side belts being also inclined inwardly towards each other transversely to the di rection of travel of the belts to flatten the upper portions of the bag bodies as they advance through the machine, and means for simultaneously vibrating the filled bag bodies to more firmly settle the contents into the lower portions of the bag bodies and thereby facilitate the shaping of the upper portions of the bag bodies and the subsequent closing of the bag tops.

9. In a machine of the class described, a troughshaped conveyer comprising a pair of substan- 40 tially right angularly disposed flat belts for supporting and conveying the filled bags through the machine, endless side belts having their inner runs adapted to engage opposite sides of the bag bodies, said inner runs gradually tapering inwardly from the receiving end of the conveyer CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 2,562,).L62. November 114, 191111;.

DANIEL BELCI'ER, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, sec- 0nd .column, line 58, for "Figure 2" read "Figure l2--; page 5,-firstco1- umn, line 7, for "wheeby" read --'-whereby--; page 6, first column, line 145,

for 'in operative" read --inoperative-; page 7, first column, line 11.9, for "bag" read --bags--; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the I casein the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 27th day of March, A. D. 1911.5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

